The Drew QO discussion brought up the Yankees as a potential suitor. I looked at their payroll commitments, and I want to see if everyone else thought. I'm going to assume that Rodriguez gets suspended and his salary will not count towards their payroll. Also, going to assume they try to compete and resign Cano.
C - Stewart (arb estimate - $1 million)
1B - Teixeira ($22.5 million)
2B - Cano ($25 million)
SS - Jeter ($8 million)
3B - Chavez ($4 million)
LF - Soriano ($5 million)
CF - Garnder (arb. estimate - $5 million)
RF - Suzuki ($6.5 million)
DH - Granderson ($14 million)
C - Cervelli (arb estimate - $750,000)
1B - ? ($500,000)
INF - ? ($500,000)
OF - Wells ($2.4 million)
SP - Sabathia ($23 million)
SP - Nova (arb estimated $1.5 million)
SP - Kuroda ($18 million)
SP - Free Agent ($8 million)
SP - Phelps ($500,000)
CL - Robertson (arb estimate - $4 million)
RP - Kelley (arb estimate - $750,000
RP - Claiborne ($500,000)
RP - Logan ($1,000,000)
RP - Warren ($500,000)
RP - ? ($500,000)
RP - ? ($500,000)
Pineda (arb estimate - $750,000)
40 man roster spots - $5 million
1/30 player benefit contribution - $12 million
Jeter potential bonuses - $9 million
Assuming they make no upgrades at catcher, the bench, or the bullpen that gives them a total of $136.15, or about $52.85 million to fill three rotation spots, 3B, and DH. They are going to struggle to replace Rodriguez, as they are no good options at 3B. I guess they could bring Chavez back at $4 million. Granderson or Beltran could play DH. That is going to cost $14 million. Down to $35 million. I'm going to guess they bring back Kuroda at $18 million, maybe take a flier on reclamation project around $8 million, and maybe go with Phelps? That would leave them with $8 million to play with. Maybe Jackson can opine on this, and make some better suggestions. Early projections, but I'm going to go with (projected WAR next to player):
CF - Gardner (3)
SS - Jeter (2)
1B - Teixeira (2)
DH - Granderson (2)
2B - Cano (5)
LF - Soriano (2)
RF - Ichiro (1)
3B - Chavez (1)
C - Stewart (1)
Bench - (1)
SP - Kuroda (4)
SP - Sabathia (3)
SP - Nova (2)
SP - Free Agent (2)
SP - Phelps (1)
Bullpen - (3)
A team of replacement players wins about 45.5 games. Crude projection, but I'm guessing the Yankees regulars will total about 40 WAR. That puts them at around 80-81 wins. The Yankees offseason is hugely dependent on Rodriguez being suspended for the entire season. If he gets his suspension reduced, it definitely puts a wrinkle in their plans. They'll struggle to field a competitive team in 2014 even without his contract suffocating them.